Nodal Plane
What is Nodal Plane?
A nodal plane is a planar region in an atomic or molecular orbital where the probability of finding an electron is zero because the wavefunction passes through zero. For example, p orbitals each have one nodal plane passing through the nucleus perpendicular to the axis of the orbital, and d orbitals have two nodal planes. The number and orientation of nodal planes determine the shape, symmetry, and bonding properties of orbitals.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
A nodal plane is a planar region in an atomic or molecular orbital where the probability of finding an electron is zero because the wavefunction passes through zero. For example, p orbitals each have one nodal plane passing through the nucleus perpendicular to the axis of the orbital, and d orbitals have two nodal planes. The number and orientation of nodal planes determine the shape, symmetry, and bonding properties of orbitals.